Everyone has a preferred way of organizing their daily lives, but fitting a vacation into your normal system can be difficult. Instead of relying on your usual routine, buy a special notebook in which to carry all your pre- and post-arrival notes. The pocket-sized Moleskine journals are perfect for recording bus routes, train times, and jotting down key phrases in new languages. They even contain a compartment where travelers can stow printed itineraries or receipts. And, on that note, always keep a printed copy of your itinerary. Besides ensuring you're in the right place at the right time, it can be necessary for entry into certain airport terminals. When transferring at large airports, for instance, security officials may ask to see it along with your passport for proof of intent to travel.

In Transit

19. Music to Travel By

A great way to chew up idle hours while traveling is to soak in the sounds of your next destination. Load your MP3 player with destination-inspired playlists and you'll not only feel culturally closer to the place you're visiting, but you'll also arrive relaxed and rejuvenated. Check out RoughGuides.com for thousands of song selections—from salsa and Sri Lankan tunes to music from Macedonia and Malawi.

20. Food on the Fly

Many airlines have stopped serving meals on domestic flights and decided to charge restaurant rates for floppy sandwiches, making it essential to pack good food for the journey. Stay away from snacks that contain sugar and white flour—they make a "vicious circle" of craving and crashing, says co-author of Healthy Highways David Goldbeck. Start with a good breakfast and carry healthy snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, and cheese cubes. The fruit gives you a satisfying energy boost, and the nuts and cheese provide hunger-preventing protein. Try unsalted nuts and drink plenty of fluids, since staying well hydrated on planes keeps headaches, fatigue, and general crankiness at bay.

21. Car Rental Rates and Fees

If you need to rent a car for more than four days, it's usually cheaper to rent for the entire week. Reserve your car early—there's no penalty to cancel, but there is usually a discount for renting in advance. And don't go straight for an economy car thinking it's the cheapest; sometimes midsize car costs are just as low. Ask if the rental agency will upgrade your car for the same price. Also ask about car fueling costs—some companies offer gas cheap by the gallon, but charge a one-time fee for filling up if you return the car anything other than full. If you've only used a ¼ tank, you should fill it up yourself to avoid the fee, but if you're running on empty it's more cost-effective to return it that way. If riding in unfamiliar terrain, many companies now offer GPS systems with navigation. These are invaluable to the traveler: The freedom and relaxation derived from knowing you'll never be lost is worth the extra price.

22. Airline Dos and Don'ts

To avoid catching a cold or flu on an airline flight, request a seat as far up front as possible—where the air is cleanest. To lessen the effects of turbulence, try sitting in the center of the plane where motion is usually not as strong as in other areas. Seats in front are quieter because engines are in the rear or over the wing. They also allow for a quick departure if you need to make a flight connection. Avoid the seats in the last row, which do not recline and have no window.

23. Luggage Logic

"The best packing question a traveler can ask is: Do people where I'm headed live without this item?" says Doug Dyment, whose website, One Bag, offers packing tips. In brief, you'll be better off with less. Additional tips: Never check luggage containing valuables (cash, credit cards, cameras, jewelry); fragile items (eyeglasses, bottles); or critical items (medicine, keys, travel vouchers). Even if your checked luggage isn't lost, it is subject to routine hand searches en route, and thus increased opportunity for theft. Stick a copy of your travel itinerary in an outside pocket of your luggage so that if it's lost the airline has a better chance of tracking you down while you're traveling. To insure your luggage, ask for "excess valuation."  With this you can bump up the liability, and give the airline more incentive not to lose your luggage. And don't forget the suggestion to keep essential toiletries and a change of underwear/clothes in your carry-on; if you have to track down lost luggage, you might as well be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the task.

24. Leave Jet Lag Behind

Jet lag happens when the body's inner clock falls out of sync with daily cycles of light, meals, and rest. Some medical experts estimate that travelers require a day of recovery for every time zone crossed—but who can wait that long? Minimize the effects by getting several good nights of sleep before your trip. Set your watch to your destination time when you board the plane, and adjust sleep and meals accordingly. During the flight, do isometric exercises, eat light meals, and keep hydrated, but avoid sugary, alcoholic, or caffeinated drinks. On arrival, shower and throw yourself into your new schedule—avoid naps. No-Jet-Lag (available at both Whole Foods Market and REI) is a homeopathic supplement that eases transitions to new time zones. The active ingredients are leopard's bane, daisy, wild chamomile, ipecac, and clubmoss.

25. Expedite the X-ray

Navigate airport security like a pro by checking the Transportation Security Administration website for the latest information on what to pack and how to pack it. Also, speed through the process with these quick tips: While waiting in the airport security line, pack a small zippered bag with your watch, jewelry, keys, change, cell phone, and belt. This will keep your valuables together and enable you to reassemble in peace—not in public. Have your boarding pass and driver's license ready for security personnel. Wear metal-free shoes. Pack your laptop so that it can easily be removed from your bags—and label it with your name, phone number, and e-mail address. Pack prohibited items (liquids, pocketknives, scissors, etc.) and most metallic or sharp objects in your checked baggage. Don't overstuff carry-on baggage, and consider stowing personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that screeners will have to handle them. To avoid having to unwrap a gift at a security checkpoint, wrap it after you arrive at your destination.

26. In-Flight Wisdom

Wear layers on the plane to guard against cabin temperature changes. Stretch in your seat, breathe deeply, and amble up and down the aisle. Avoid the seduction of in-flight movies: Eight hours of cinema might sound tempting, but sleep will undoubtedly prove more rewarding. Preparation for smart flying begins a day before your long haul: "Reduce preflight stress," says Manhattan-based Dr. Ronald Primas, a travel medicine specialist.

"Pack ahead of time and don't race off to the airport at the last minute." To aid personal comfort while cabin-bound, bring skin cream to ward off dryness, Blistex to moisten lips, earplugs to aid sleeping, and saline solution to keep eyes lubricated.

27. Unexpected Layovers

Flight delays and the need to arrive at airports early often leave travelers with time to kill, and airports have improved the passenger experience by providing more amenities. Inquire at the airport's information booth about art exhibits, outdoor terraces, and other on-site offerings. For example, Miami International Airport's hotel has a gym and swimming pool; London Heathrow Hilton has a spa and showers; San Francisco International Airport has a mini aquarium.

28. Foreign Currency

Nearly every airport will have an ATM, and if you feel comfortable chancing it, your best bet is to take out currency at an ATM once you arrive at your destination. You can also exchange money at your departure airport, but only exchange enough to cover cab fare and incidental expenses at your destination as fees will be high—they are lower at a bank in your arrival city. Another option: Order foreign currency online and have it delivered to your door before your trip. Wells Fargo offers online purchase of 14 foreign currencies. Travelex Currency Services more than 100 foreign currencies; exchange rates and a free quote for services are available on the Travelex website.

On Holiday

29. Feel Like a Kid Again

Remember the days before cell phones, when your mother would lose you in the grocery store and you'd hear your name over the loudspeaker? Traveling with friends can sometimes be like that, minus the easy loudspeaker access. If you're vacationing with others but getting into the city independently, have at least the first night's hotel booked and plan to meet there. That way, even with delayed planes, missed connections, and no cell phones or PA systems, you can be certain of a rendezvous in a safe, comfortable place (much better than trying to find each other in crowded airports, train stations, or city streets). And follow you parents' example—any time you enter a crowded museum or bustling square, decide on a meeting spot in case of separation.

30. Ride Guide

Taking a cab from the airport to your final destination is convenient, but it's usually expensive. Save money with the two-prong approach: Take the subway, train, or a shuttle bus into the general city vicinity and from there hail a taxi. Research transportation before arriving at the airport; airport websites often post links to bus routes or subway maps, if not detailed descriptions of ground transportation options.

31. Risk Factor

If you're headed to a destination in the off-season and you're willing to risk it, show up with no hotel reservations. Walk into a hotel between 4 and 6 p.m. and start bargaining. They'd rather have you pay a low rate than let a room go empty for the night.

32. Foreign Travel Etiquette

Prevent embarrassing miscommunications and familiarize yourself with the cultural faux-pas of your destination. When traveling in countries where English is not the first language, learn how to say these five expressions: hello, goodbye, thank you, please, and pardon me. It's amazing how far these words will get you when spoken in a person's own language, even if he or she knows the English equivalent. It also helps to have the words written down in a small notebook along with other key phrases—that way you can make sure you're saying them correctly. Adding new words as you go is a great way to increase your vocabulary in a new language. Respectful efforts to speak the local language are almost always heartily welcomed, and show residents that you are eager to immerse yourself in their culture and customs.

33. Safety on the Road

Travel is an improvisational art: Hope for the best, but be prepared for complications. Always carry your passport, and bring along photocopies dispersed throughout your luggage—in some countries, hotels hold your passport during your stay. Keep all trip information (reservation numbers, itinerary, and telephone numbers, including that of the local U.S. Embassy) as well as relevant health information (a list of medications, allergies, blood type, and an emergency contact number) with you at all times. Blend in by dressing like the locals. Watch your pockets and purse, and keep cameras, computers, and other gear concealed and close at hand. Carry enough local currency for cab rides, and regardless of what country you're visiting, always keep $100 hidden in your wallet or security belt for emergencies.

34. Asking for Directions

"Ask more than one person for directions," says Lonely Planet editor Don George, in a twist on the old tailor's rubric: measure twice, cut once. "In certain cultures, particularly in Asia, it is impolite for a local to say 'I don't know.' It can be a cause of embarrassment to a local if he can't provide an answer for you, so his natural response is to say something, anything, even if it isn't correct.

35. Protect Your Plastic

Use a credit card for big-ticket items like jewelry, rugs, and artwork—or whenever there might be a problem. Credit card companies won't cover buyers' remorse, but will protect against unauthorized charges, billing errors, and misrepresentation with proper documentation (e.g. certificate of authenticity, signed description from retailer). Expect one percent currency conversion fees from Visa and Mastercard and two percent from American Express on purchases. Read the fine print: Some banks add a surcharge of up to three percent of the converted amount. And to avoid the hold some banks might place on your card for unusual spending activity, tell your bank your travel plans ahead of time.

36. Cheap Thrills for Drama Queens

Try not to pay full price for tickets to art events such as plays, musicals, and operas. In New York City, for instance, half-price day-of-show tickets are available at the Times Square TKTS kiosk. San Francisco and London have similar agencies. For spontaneous theatrical adventures while traveling, pick up a local English-language newspaper and make your plans on the spot. In Prague, for example, buy a copy of the Prague Post and check out the opera and concert listings. Then stop by the box office (prices here are often half of what consolidators charge) or stand at the theater around showtime. Even if a concert claims to be sold out, just wait: Ticket touts will find you.

37. Light Eating

At resorts, where meals can be pricey, consider spending extra money and booking a club-level hotel room. Amenities usually include a breakfast buffet (with juice, danish, fruit, cereal), midday refreshments and snacks (cookies, fruit), and hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in the evening, which might just save your bottom line in the long run. You'll also have an opportunity to mingle with other guests on your floor. If you want to try a fancy restaurant, the breakfast and lunch menu will be cheaper than at dinnertime; or in large cities, ask the tourism office for dates of restaurant weeks, when some eateries offer deals on prix fixe lunch and dinner menus.

38. Think Smaller, But Still Go Big

Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone: America's most striking natural wonders are also among its most crowded. The National Park Service is working to increase awareness of the 57 national parks and reduce the negative impact of overuse on the biggies. Visit nps.seeamerica.org for maps, itineraries, and links to deals on parks. Another underutilized resource: the 192 million acres of national forest, mostly in the West, where natural resources are protected and managed. Visit the website of the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide for recommendations.

39. The Tipping Point

While you'll never make an enemy by leaving a big tip, it's not always necessary or expected. Generally, tips reward good service. While in the U.S. a tip is an expected part of a server's income, in many other nations tips are small grace notes underscoring your appreciation. In America, of course, it is customary to tip 15-20 percent (of your untaxed total bill) at restaurants, bars, and in taxi cabs. In Germany and France, service charges are included in restaurant checks (verify this with your server), and tipping becomes more of an ad hoc gesture—consider giving five percent of your bill, or simply rounding up the total of your check to the nearest full euro. Bartenders receive small change or none at all. Tipping is generally not expected in Japan and other Asian countries. Some general tipping guidelines: Assess the state of the local economy, determine the local currency equivalent of $1, and tip freely. Tip bellhops and porters $1 per bag; hotel maids should get about $1 per day of your stay. A concierge receives a tip of $5-10 for each request, with an additional gratuity for special services or favors. If your tour guide and driver have been especially helpful, offer $2-5.

40. Shopping Savvy

Buy items that the area or city is noted for but make sure they are authentic. For example, in Oaxaca, Mexico, purchase handmade pottery; in Hong Kong, buy custom-tailored clothing; in Florence, bargain for leather goods. Compare prices in several locations before you buy, and avoid shops near train stations and in heavily touristed areas. For more tips, see our Authentic Shopping Guide.

41. Waterborne Bugs on Tap

There's no end to the trouble that a little dirty water can cause you. Among the common bacterial illnesses that can be transmitted by drinking water are cholera and E. Coli infection; viruses can include hepatitis; and parasites such as giardia and amoeba can lurk in a sparkling glass of water, too. Fortunately, the water in most cities is chlorinated—but why take the chance when traveling in a country with poor water quality? Always buy bottled water (ideally not from your hotel: Some hotels charge as much as $5 a bottle—which might not be made clear until you check out). As an extra precaution, buy fizzy water whenever possible—some vendors sell tap water in bottles, and carbonated water is failsafe insurance that it the water is not home-bottled. Remember to brush your teeth using bottled water. When at a restaurant, ask whether the table water has been purified and if uncertain, pay extra for fizzy water (you could be paying later if you don't). And reconsider anything on the rocks—ice from bad water can carry bacteria, too. Beer or bottled sodas might be your best libations. Steamed vegetables are safer than raw vegetables and salads. Fruits you have to peel—oranges, bananas, mangoes—are safer than fruits that don't need peeling.

42. Videoconference from your Hotel

With newer laptops weighing only a few pounds a pop, travelers are increasingly opting to bring theirs along, making instant messaging, sending e-mails, and even talking in real time as easy as finding wireless Internet. Many hotels now offer wireless, and inner-city Wi-Fi is usually painless to track down. Consult Wi-Fi Free Spot for a directory of free access areas in the U.S. and abroad. Travel Post has compiled a very handy list of airports with free Wi-Fi. Free downloadable software like Skype uses a laptop's internal microphone and webcam (if available) to build a teleconference between two users, each on their computers. Both users must download the free software and register, but once registered the service is simple, reliable, and best of all, free.

43. Go to the Library

Public computer services are often easy to find. Internet café (a directory can be found at http://cybercaptive.com/) usually offer rates by the quarter hour. To save money, check local libraries for free Internet facilities. Edinburgh City Libraries in Scotland, for example, offer free computers with Internet in 26 locations across the city. The computers are available by the hour, and individuals must bring a passport, driver's license, or ID card. Make sure to log out of all secure pages when you're finished, and try not to enter any information you wouldn't want the next user to have. To be extra safe, clear the private data from the browser (usually Menu/Tools/Clear Private Data) before leaving.

44. Phone Home

If phones are your preferred method of communication, international calling plans from U.S. providers such as AT&T One Rate Global Plus cost a monthly fee plus per-call surcharges, but guarantee competitive rates from international destinations and streamline fees on your monthly phone bill. Prepaid calling cards have set limits of talk time and are widely available at newsstands in Europe and Asia. They're easy to use and cheap, though you might have to call from a pay phone. Some U.S. cell phones, like the Verizon Blackberry, operate internationally; check with your provider to find out if yours works internationally and if so, what fees are required to use it abroad. If yours doesn't, you can rent a local cell phone at many international airports.

Heading Home

45. Check It Out

Examine your hotel bill carefully before checking out to make sure you were billed the quoted rate, particularly when your stay spans both a weekend and weekday, which are often billed at different rates. Having a print-out of your quoted rate, which many hotels are happy to provide over e-mail, will save you both money and frustration when hotels charge a different rate than promised; it also helps when there is a language barrier, as having a written number reduces the stress of each side trying to get their point across. Mistakes are common (which is a good reason to avoid the express checkout service).

46. Customs Shortcuts

Know the restrictions of bringing home goods such as produce, food products, and cigars from other countries. Some rules of thumb: Fresh produce is usually not allowed, but dried and preserved fruits are no problem. Salami and sausages are prohibited, although vacuum-packed meats are sometimes okay. Soft cheeses like Camembert are generally a no-no; harder varieties such as cheddar and Stilton are welcome. Tip: "Don't buy expensive food, because there's always a chance it will be taken away," warns U.S. Customs manager Janice Mosher. Cuban cigars are prohibited no matter what country you bring them from and will likely be confiscated. For a complete list of customs restrictions, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security online.

47. Shop 'Til You Drop

Duty-free shopping has its perks: reduced taxes, convenience, and a good way to use leftover currency. While actual bargains are few, smart shopping can get you the best deals. Major luxe retailers often price an item based on a country's income level. "I priced a Hermès watch in various airports over a year and bought it duty-free in Prague where it was less expensive than in Paris," says Suzy Gershman, author of Frommer's Born to Shop series. In most cases, you'll save on an item in its native country—buy Swedish glass in Stockholm and hard-to-find electronics in Singapore. Check out airline duty-free too; low overhead often makes it less expensive.

48. Get Your VAT Back

Travelers to Europe can recoup a percentage of purchase price on goods—ranging by country from 7.6 percent (Switzerland) to 24.5 percent (Iceland)—in the form of a value-added tax (VAT) refund. A minimum purchase (which also varies by country) is required, but the real reason travelers abandon millions in refunds each year is that securing a refund can be troublesome. But it's worth the effort. Travelers must have their refund request, including original receipt, stamped by a customs official upon departure. Typically this request is then mailed back to the store, which is required to send a refund check (in foreign currency). A better solution is to look for a Global Refund outlet at the airport; this processing agency gives out cash refunds immediately (sometimes a commission is taken based on a percentage of the total price of the item).

49. Just One More Day

Plan your itinerary to include a day at home of restful regrouping before racing into a frenzy of work and activity. "I try not to tell people the exact time of my return so that I can ease back into life at home," says international development worker Kyeh Kim. "I like having a day to unpack, do laundry, go grocery shopping, edit trip photos, and reflect on my vacation. The purpose of a vacation is to mellow out, so why undo your holiday cool as soon as you get home?

Be a Sharp Shooter

As Traveler's globetrotting sharpshooters explain below, the secrets to taking unforgettable pictures have less to do with equipment and more to do with elbow grease and imagination. Whether you're shooting with the newest digital or an antique 35mm, their trade secrets will prepare you for capturing great moments. Among the experts are Macduff Everton, who shares tips for shooting with film, and Bob Krist, digital convert and author of 101 Tips for Travel Photographers, who believes nothing beats the simple usefulness of waterproof gaffer's tape.